BEFuture, co-funded by the European Union, is a dedicated project to driving positive change in the Business Events (BE) sector across Europe. It’s mission is to transform the industry into an innovative, regenerative, resilient, and responsible powerhouse. Aligned with the European Tourism Transition Pathways and Sustainable Development Goals, sustainability, inclusivity and lasting impacts are prioritised.
When BEFuture raised their call for Best Practises, FrauBlau of course enrolled. How could we not? First of all I think it is super that our colleagues from VisitFlanders and Catalunya CVB have landed this project. I know from other connections how much work goes into an application for such massive EU projects. Chapeau! Then I am always curious when it comes to innovation and I like to be part of it. Transformation of the industry is my biggest passion and I am convinced that we can contribute some valuable aspects with the FrauBlau concept.
To keep it short – FrauBlau was selected as one of the 10 Best Practises to present at IMEX! And so we did! Condensed to a 2 minute pecha kucha type of presentation, which I would like to share it with you here below, with the reference questions for better orientation!
Explain in 1 or 2 sentences what your Best Practice is about.
My goal is to create a new way of thinking in our industry: by combining strategic communication and marketing with a sensible problem solving – to tackle the challenges for water globally.
Which challenge did you solve/address?
Tourism and MICE business are increasing in numbers and are water intensive – the countries receiving the most travellers are also those which have the biggest problems with water. I have the mission to show this connection and offer practical solutions – in cooperation with local water sectors, industries, academics, communities AND visitors.
What inspired you to initiate this practice /innovation?
Its better to have a focus, when acting sustainably in a serious manner, as only diving deep into one subject can bring new ideas. Vertical approach over Horizontal approach is needed when covering a very complex system as SDG6 and SDG14, which are really directly or indirectly related to most other SDGs
I picked water from personal passion, and as it resonates with most people, cause and effect are mostly understandable and everbody who wants to can see that WATER is becoming a big problem for all of us.
How do you remain innovative?
I keep intensive contacts with people in the wider world of water, learning new things every day and trying to understand cause and effect better to expand the big picture.
How is your Best Practice transferable to other organisations?
Every person and every organisation can pledge for ONE IMPORTANT CHANGE. Why not advocating for WATER – being an industry that depends on it so badly, Once the decision for engagement is made, it is a matter of analasiys, definition of methods and technology. To protect water is easy to understand and to apply. And we are here to help 😊
What is next on your wishlist?
As we desperately need to collect more data, to better understand and interpret these data and to create visualisations for easy understanding, my vision is to show context between the world of water with the world of tourism in data and charts.
We need to build dashboards to allow informed decision-making and to underscore the demand for engagement. So the next step in the work of FrauBlau will be to create a dashboard showcasing case studies in form of visual statistics. Hopefully we can apply for the acceleration round of BE Future end of this year and get some help for this project.
